Democratic Party to nominate sheriff May 10

The 30-day clock to appoint a new sheriff began ticking last Tuesday when former sheriff Ronald Hewett resigned.

Members of the Brunswick County Democratic Party Executive Committee are set to cast their ballots May 10 for the county’s next sheriff.

The group will meet at 10 a.m. at the party headquarters, Old Ocean Highway, between Supply and Bolivia.

County commissioners will then appoint the Democrat’s nominee as sheriff.

Since Hewett’s suspension March 27, county coroner Greg White has been serving as sheriff, per state law.

County commissioners on Monday agreed to pay White an annual salary of $75,000 as a temporary full-time employee for his work as sheriff.

County attorney Huey Marshall said White’s status as a temporary full-time employee does not qualify him for county benefits, and he will no longer receive this salary once commissioners appoint a new sheriff.

The commissioners next meeting after the Democrats’ May 10 meeting is May 19. Marshall said he did not know whether board members would call a special meeting to appoint the nominee or do so at their May 19 meeting.

The appointed sheriff will serve out the remainder of Hewett’s term, which lasts until December 2010.

Executive committee member Robert Epstein, who serves as the committee’s attorney, said committee members were, “hugely committed to an open and transparent process,” of selecting a new sheriff.

The following Democrats will cast a vote for sheriff:

•Robert Robinson, register of deeds

•Tom Rabon, county commissioner

•May Moore, county commissioner

•Rex Gore, district attorney

•Cheryl Cheers Wilson, clerk of superior court

•Greg White, county coroner/acting sheriff

•Rex Gore, district attorney

•Vernon Ward, chairman, Democratic Executive Committee

•Donna Silva, 1st vice-chair, Democratic Executive Committee

•Willie Richardson, 2nd vice-chair, Democratic Executive Committee

•Robert Epstein, 3rd vice-chair, Democratic Executive Committee

•Karen Throckmorton, treasurer Democratic Executive Committee

•Mike Toht, secretary, Democratic Executive Committee

•Cindy Davis, temporary Democratic Women’s Club President

•Tom Simmons, Democrat Men’s Club President

•Courtney Aderhold, young democrat chairman

•The chairman and vice-chairman of the 23 Democratic precincts

•Elected members of the 7th Congressional District Executive Committee residing in Brunswick County.

•All Democratic state, county and city elected officials (whether elected in a partisan or non-partisan election). Brunswick County has 46 elected city/town representatives.